PROBLEMS OF SEA-GOING NAVIGATION IN KERCI STRAIT
M. ŞTEFAN , G. ROMANESCU
ABSTRACT. Kerch Strait was the main passage between the Azov Sea and the Black
Sea.The passage of ships through the strait is hampered by several physical and
geographical factors: emerged and submerged morphology, the climatic and
hydrological parameters. As a result of the extremely low depths of the strait,
for the safety of navigation, authorities have been forced to dredge a canal for
passage of the vessels with a medium draft, to make a properly hydrographical
developŽment of the fairway and of the shores, and to establish a favorable
anchoring area etc. Ice, which occurs in winter, makes the navigation very
difficult, which takes place in convoys, preceded by ice breakers. Fog, frequent
in the transitional seasons, hampered navigation; many accidents happened
because of this inconvenience. Most accidents due to weather conditions (fog,
wind) are specific to smaller vessels, sea-river type, which are sailing in the
area and which, due to their construction, are not able to deal with exceptional
weather conditions at sea. The existence of surface currents, with the dominant
direction north-south, from the Sea of Azov to the Black Sea, affects navigation
only around the heads where cauŽses circular currents. In this case are affected
only pleasure boats and low powered vessel. With all these impediments to
navigation, the Kerch Strait is an important waterway, especially for the
countries bordering the Sea of Azov: Ukraine and the Russian Federation, and
also for the countries from the Black Sea basin.
Keywords: straits, shipping, hydrological risk, morphology, hydro-climatic
conditions